MELVERN – For the second time in three games, Altoona-Midway High School basketball teams were matched up against the Hartford Jaguars here Thursday afternoon.
And for the second time, the Jet boys were very competitive well into the third period before Hartford pulled away for a double-digit victory, while the Lady Jaguars enjoyed a second consecutive win by a comfortable margin.
Hartford won the boys’ contest 54-40 and the girls’ game ended up 54-5. The latest matchups came at a neutral site as the schools squared off as part of the Valley Tip-Off Classic hosted by Marais Des Cygnes High School in Melvern.
Both AMHS teams will be slated to wrap up tourney action Friday with a doubleheader against Southern Coffey County.
AMHS BOYS
Just as in the first meeting between the two schools, Thursday’s Jets-Jaguars game was closer than the final score indicated.
Hartford and Altoona-Midway were tied after one period, and the Jags held leads of 20-15 at halftime and 32-26 entering the fourth period.
But Hartford outscored the Jets 22-14 in the final stanza to post the 54-40 win.
“For much of the game, it was a fairly well-played game and very competitive on both sides,” said AMHS head coach Dave Vance. “We kept the game within single digits until halfway through the fourth quarter.
“We did a decent job sharing the ball, and our rebounding was much improved,” Vance added. “On the other hand, our three-point shooting left something to be desired. That was the difference.”
Kieran Foster led the Jets with 17 points, but he and his teammates were cold from behind the arc, as the Jets finished just 3-of-20 from long range. William Stackhouse was held to nine points, while Taj Chism finished with five, Joey Lamendola four, Kage Beck three, and Chance Carter two.
“When we took the ball to the basket we scored well,” Vance noted. “We made 60 percent of our shots inside the arc, but we took a few too many three-pointers and only made 15 percent. I can’t say they were really bad shots, on all but a couple, we had our balance and were set, and the ball was just not falling.
“Granted, many of the three-pointers were in and out, if they had stayed in, it would’ve been a different ball game.”
Trester led a balanced Hartford attack with 13 points, while Schultz and Wilkinson each tallied a dozen and Ndegwa chipped in nine.
Stackhouse pulled down 10 rebounds while Chism grabbed eight boards, Lamendola pulled down seven, Carter five, and Beck and Foster four apiece. Lamendola also had a team-high three assists.
AMHS GIRLS
The Altoona-Midway Lady Jets are optimistic they are an improved team this season. Unfortunately, their schedule has not yet allowed them much of a chance to prove it.
The AMHS girls have been unable to get untracked in their first three games this year, mostly due to facing quality opposition.
In two of those three games, they have squared off against a very talented Hartford squad. The Lady Jaguars won the first matchup 71-28 and followed that up with a 54-5 win Thursday in the Valley Tip-Off Classic.
“Hartford is really good,” said AMHS head coach Jessica Porter. “Despite the score, I saw lots of positive things last night with the girls. I am certain that if we keep working, we’ll be able to put it all together and win some games.”
The Lady Jaguars left no doubt about the outcome, soaring to a 12-0 lead after one period and 34-2 at halftime. Hartford extended its advantage to 47-2 after three quarters, then outscored Altoona-Midway 7-3 in the fourth to make it 54-5 final.
“In the first half we didn’t attack the basket or take many shots,” Porter noted. “The second half was better, but our shots just didn’t fall.”
Lady Jet senior Emmalynn Pupanek, who poured in 19 points in the first matchup with Hartford, was double-teamed much of Thursday’s game, attempted just two shots and was held scoreless – as were all five AMHS starters.
Mika Parsons came off the bench to score three points for the Lady Jets, while Brooklyn Collins added the other two.
“Emmy was double-teamed part of the time which kept her from scoring all night,” Porter said. “We did get Autumn Raymond for the first time this year, but she just got back from Germany and was simply worn out. We’ll get much more from her down the road.
“Overall, we just need more girls to get more confidence in their abilities and just shoot the ball,” Porter added.
Sandra Morales led the Jets with eight rebounds and three blocks.
Windle had 13 points and Finnerty 12 for Hartford.